This article is part of Football League World’s ‘The Verdict‘ series, which provides personal opinions from the FLW writers regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Sunderland have emerged as potential suitors of Derby County left-back Craig Forsyth.

As per a report from Cypriot outlet Goal.com, the Black Cats hold an interest in the 33-year-old ahead of their return to the Championship after winning promotion last campaign.

Forsyth has been at Derby since joining from Watford in 2013, but is set to become a free agent this summer with his current Rams deal expiring.

Sunderland face a potential transfer battle to secure his signature, though, with Cypriot side APOEL also keen on the player.

With the above in mind, we asked some of our writers here at FLW for their thoughts on Forsyth to Sunderland, and whether or not he would be a good addition for the Black Cats.

Marcus Ally

This would be very uninspiring.

Forsyth’s powers at Championship level have been diminishing for some years now, and for that reason he should not be playing above the third tier next season.

The Black Cats already have experienced heads in the backline in the form of Bailey Wright and Danny Batth, and they could bring in a player of higher quality and potential than Forsyth to compete for a starting berth with Dennis Cirkin.

Even on a free it is not the signing that Sunderland should not be making after Forsyth was very in and out at Derby County last term, even though they had the thinnest squad in the division.

Defensive reinforcements are required at the Stadium of Light, and Neil has a strong reputation for setting teams up to be hard to beat, but Forsyth would be a very underwhelming addition.

 

 

Toby Wilding

This could prove to be a rather decent signing for Sunderland if they can get it done.

Given Dennis Cirkin is the club's only senior left-back at this moment in time, the club could certainly benefit from some extra strength in depth in that position, which Forsyth would obviously provide.

Indeed, with Cirkin still only 20-years-old and yet to play at Championship level, Forsyth's experience of this level could be useful both in terms of helping Cirkin to adapt, and having a reliable option to step in if he struggles to do that.

With the expiration of his Derby contract meaning Forsyth will also be available on a free transfer, which should help Sunderland from a financial perspective as well, this does feel like a deal that could be worth pursuing for the Black Cats.

Ned Holmes

It's not the most exciting or ambitious but I don't mind this signing at all from Sunderland.

Craig Forsyth has a huge amount of Championship experience – with 249 appearances in the division under his belt – and could be a really useful asset for Alex Neil.

Capable of playing as a centre-back in a back three, a left-back, or even a left wing-back, the Scot is a hard worker and that should quickly make him popular with the manager.

We saw last season that at 33 he's still able to contribute at Championship level so there is little risk bringing him in cheaply.

Sunderland's first order of business has to be survival and this sort of signing on a free transfer can help them do that.